Christians urged on repentance, self-control during Lent

KAMPALA - Repentance is key to reconciling with Jesus Christ, and this is key during the Lent season, All Saints Cathedral Kampala vicar, the Rev. Hillary Jaffu, has said.

According to Jaffu, if you humble yourself and repent, you avert the disaster that was supposed to swallow you up.

“Repentance overturns things which were outside the covenant and brings them back inside the covenant. If you are going to repent, what is the action that backs up your words?” Jaffu says.

“For example, one day, a couple came for counselling, and after we had talked, I noticed what they were missing was affection for each other. Since they were both working in different districts, this couple lacked intimacy and affection,” Jaffu says.

Citing Samuel 1 7:3, Jaffu told Christians that if they want God to believe their repentance, they should set up altars in their homes. Additionally, if you have extramarital relationships, leave them and stick to your wife or husband.

Self-control is key

During this Lent season, Jaffu advises Christians, especially single men, to say no to desires that may lead them to spiritual problems.

“You should learn to say no and refuse to lie beside her before marriage. In fact, 70% of our spiritual issues that leave us astray can be managed when we learn to say no. You should practice self-humility and self-abasement because it is a mark of consecration.”

Hillary Jaffu

Saying no to physical intimacy before marriage, according to Jaffu, is an example of exercising self-control and prioritising spiritual growth.

He made the remarks during the Ash Wednesday evening service on February 18, 2026, at All Saints Cathedral, Kampala.

During the service, over 700 Christians were smeared ashes on their forehead as a symbol of repentance.

“Let this not be a day for decoration as we do the ash, but rather be a reminder that ashes represent mortality, repentance and brokenness before God. The money, influence, among others, all return to dust,” the Rev Florence Tumwesigye advised Christians.

During the service, Christians prayed for forgiveness of pride, hypocrisy, self-indulgence and exploitation of other people, anger, envy of those more fortunate than us, dishonesty in daily life, waste and pollution of the creation.